Electromechanical phonographic announcer



y 1941- D. A. HERMAN 2.248.081 ELECTROMECHANICAL PHQNOGRAPHIC ANNOUNCER Filed April 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1,

. INVENTOR Lg] Defizfihermag l FFTTORNEY July 8, 1941. D. A. HERMAN ELECTROMECHANICAL f'l'l0N0 :RAPHIC ANNOUNCER Filed April 25. 1940 3 Sheets-Shasta 2 /N VE N TOR Herman Dea HTTORNL'Y July 8, 1941. D. A. HERMAN ELECTROMECHANICAL PHONOGRAPHIC ANNOUNCER Filed April 25, 1940 3 Sheets-$11901.

IN V5 N TOR Deg fiHer/flag ing position.

Patented July 8, 194i smomomacmmosr. mouocasrmo ANNOUNCER Dean A. Herman, Fort Sill, Okla. Application April 25, 1940, Serial No. 331,592

9 Claims. (Cl. 179-6) (Granted under the act or March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928: 370 O. G. 757) This invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for Y governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to time announcers; more particularly it is directed to an electromechanical type of device of this character for use in telephone exchanges for supplyin subscribers-with the time of day.

Oneof the objects of the invention is to provide an electromechanical phonographic time or weather announcer to supply continuous singlevoioed time or other announcements which will simulate closely those given by the present day manual telephone announcer, thus eliminating the expense, fatigue and delay of operators in large telephone exchanges in giving out the correct time or other announcements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a time service for telephone systems which will function to convey the correct time automatically, correctly, instantly and at any moment to give the correct time without having to depend upon human voice other than that provided on a record to convey the service to the subscriber.

. In my Patent No; 2,144,625, there is disclosed a phonographic time announcer of the mechanical type including a movable grooved record, a

screw-threaded propeller shaft and a fixedly mounted pivot rod above the record, a. reproducer transmitter movably mounted on said pivot rod and cooperating with the screw-threaded propeller shaft, a needle provided on the reproducer transmitter and guided-to move on the record,

a timepiece connected to drive the propeller shaft, whereby said reproducer transmitter is moved on thepivot rod across the record bythe screw threads on said propeller shaft and means for returning the reproducer transmitter to its start- It has been found that if the minute hand of a timepiece is caused-to make and break a circuit through an electromagnet at each minute intersection of the timepiece and if the pivot bar is movably mounted on the device instead of being fixedly mounted thereon with the reproducer transmitter secured to the pivot bar that the elec-. tromagnet can be operated to actuate means to move the pivot bar and hence the reproducer transmitter across the record.

It is therefore the aim and purpose of this invention to provide an improvement over the mechanical type of phonographic time announcer disclosed in my Patent No. 2,144,625, by fixedly securing the reproducer transmitter to a pivot bar, movably mounting the pivot bar on the device and causing the minute hand of the timepiece to make and break a circuit connected to an ele'ctromagnet at each minute intersection of the timepiece, the said electromagnet being adapted to actuate means which periodically engage means provided on the pivot bar in such a manner as to move the pivot bar on'the device and hence the reproducer transmitter across the v record.

Briefly stated, the improved phonographic time announcer comprises a phonographic grooved record (disk) inscribed with sentences telling the various times of day, preferably one for each minute during the twelve hours, which constitute the ordinary period in which the hour hand of a timepiece makes a complete revolution; an elongated pivot bar adapted to be moved longitudinally on the device, a phonographic reproducer transmitter fixedly secured to the pivot bar andadapted to be moved across the record upon the movement of the pivot bar, a telephone receiver connected to said phonographic reproshape lip subreoord and longitudinally arranged on said bar, an electromagnetic mechanism including a wire coil connected in circuit with each minute intersection of a timepiece through the minute hand thereof, a source of electrical potential, an iron core,'a spring pressed elevator plunger actuated by said iron core, a shift plunger actuated by said elevator plunger, said shift plunger having teeth provided thereon which are adapted to mesh with the teeth on the lip of said bar upon the actuating of said shift plunger, whereby said bar is slightly raised and rotated thus rotating the reproducer transmitter and causing the needie provided thereon to be raised from the record, said shift plunger also being adapted to horizontally move the pivot bar on said device, whereby the reproducer transmitter is moved on the record a distance equal to the distance between concentric grooves on the record for reproducing the time announcements therein and means including a friction device for returning the reproducer trtter to its initial starting position after completion of its travel across the record. Modified methods of making and breaking the circuit through the wire coil of the electromag-' netic mechanism consisting of forming an aperture at each minute intersection on the timepiece, providing a mirror or lens on the outer end of the minute hand of the timepiece and causing certain of the rays from the light source-to 1 grooves 4. l corded the words twelve o'clock; in groove b the words twelve one-; in groove twelve two; etc.,

1 until in groove the words eleven-fifty-eight, 1 and in groove 2 the words eleven-fifty-nine.

be projected onto the mirror or lens. The mirror or lens in turn causes the rays from the light source to be reflected or refracted through each aperture at each minute intersection of the timepiece onto a photoelectric cell connected in an auxiliary electric circuit and adapted to periodically operate a magnetic sw'itch connected in 3 .circuit with the wire coil of the electromagnetic mechanism.- Substituting a small light source on the minute hand inplace of the mirror or lens as in the first method; whereby the rays from the small light source are projected through the apertures at the minute intersections of the timepiece onto the photoelectric cell for varying the current in the auxiliary electric circuit to operate said magnetic switch for making and breaking the-circuit through the wire coil, is also included within the scope of the invention.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists'of certain features of construction and operation of parts in elevation of an electromagnetic mechanism also used in carrying out the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective assembly view of the component parts of a modified apparatus for operating the electromagnetic mechanism, and

including a light source for projecting rays through a plurality of apertures provided on a timepiece;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detafl view of a modified manner of projecting the rays through the apertures'shown in Fig. 6, by the light source;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a roller-mounted on a fragmentary portion of a pivot bar used in carrying out the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing the invention I indicates a casing of a conventional electric phonograph in which a mechanism (not shown) is provided for revolving a turntable 2 having a record-3 mounted thereon. The

turntable 2 is adapated to be rotated in the dif rection as indicated by the arrow, thereby rotating the record in the same direction.

The record 3 is adapted to be provided with 720 concentric grooves representing each minute during the twelve hours, which constitute the ordinary period in which the hour hand of a timepiece makes a complete revolution. For purposes of clearness the record 3 is illustrated as only having a certain number of concentric In groove a of the grooves 4 is re- The record 3 is also provided with connecting grooves a, b','c' etc. to z" and with a starting and spiral groove 5 and 6 respectively. The grooves a to 2' connect the concentric grooves a to z to'each other and the groove 5 connects 1 with the groove a and extends closely adjacent to the outer periphery of the record. The spiral groove 6 is provided at the center of the record and connects with the last groove 2 from which turn it to its initial starting position includes a suitable framework l0 composed of a bottom plate H which is mounted on the upper surface of the phonograph casing l beneath the turntable 2 and extends from adjacent the right hand side of the turntable 2 across to the left side of the casing. The framework I0 is provided with end plates l2 and I3 which extend up from the bottom plate I I, adjacent opposite sides of the turntable 2 and record 3.

The end plates l2 and I3 are provided each with a roller bearing l4 and I5 respectively. The roller bearings 14 and I5 are shaped like a hyperloid of revolution and are provided for supporting an elongated pivot bar l6 which is slidably mounted in an opening I! formed in theroller bearing l5, mounted on the end plate I3 and to slide in the substantially keyhole shaped opening l'! in the roller bearing 14. On the forward side and at one end of the pivot bar It is a longitudinally arranged lip l8 which is wedge-shaped in cross-section and about equal in length to the radius of the record 3. The lip l8 which is mounted or formed on the pivot bar It, illustrated in detail'in Fig. 4, is provided with teeth I9 formed on the underneath surface thereof which are spaced exactly equal to the distance between the grooves 4 on the record 3," and adapted to be engaged periodically by teeth provided on a shift plunger 2| of'an electromagnetic mechanism indicated generally by A which is inciosed within a housing 22 made of any suitable'nonmagnetic material and suitably secured to the outer surface of the end plate, 12 of the supporting frame In under the lip l8 of the pivot shaft I6. I

The electromagnetic mechanism A comprises a wire coil 23 having one end connected by a conductor 24 in circuit with one side of a battery 25, the other side of which is connected by a conductor 26 with the minute hand 21 of a timepiece 28 having electrical contact points 29 at each of the sixty minute intersections thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Each of the contacts 29-are connected by a separate conductor 30 which is in turn connected with the other end of the wire coil 23 of the electromagnetic mechanism by a common return conductor 3|. wrapped around a horizontally extending soft iron core 32 having end members 33 and 33' provided thereon. One end 34 of the iron core 32 extends through the end member 33' into an aperture 35 provided in a vertically extending partition 36 integrally formed in the housing 22. The partition 36 provides apocket 31 on one end of the housing 22 in which an elevator plunger 38 made of iron or other suitable material is mounted. The elevator plunger 38 is shorter in length than the pocket 31 and is provided with a projection 39 on the left side thereof which extends into one'end of the apreture 35 at one side of the partition 36 and in an opposite direction to the end 34 of the iron core 32. An expansion spring 40 is provided' in the aperture35 which The wire coil'23 is elevator plunger ll at its other end. whereby the elevator plunger is held by the spring 4. to the right against one side of the pocket 31 of the housing 22. In order to adjust the height of the elevator plunger 38 within the pocket 31 of the housing 22. an adjusting plate 4| is provided in the lower surface of the pocket which is adapted to be raised or lowered by adjusting screws 42 which are vertically mounted on the housing 22 beneath the pocket 31 thereof. The upper portion of the elevator plunger 38 is provided with an inclined surface 43 which extends upwardly and outwardly where it terminates in a vertical extension 44. The shift plunger 2|, having the teeth 20 on its upper surface, is provided with a lower inclined surface 45 which is adaptedto seat on the inclined surface of the elevator plunger 38 and includes a projection 46 which is adapted to project into one end of an aperture 41 formed in an upwardly extending portion 4| at one side of the partition 3i of the housing 22. Within the aperture 41 of the portion 48 is an expansion spring 48 which surrounds the projection 4i of the shift plunger 21 and abuts at one end against the shift plunger and with the inner end of an adjusting screw .50 threadably mounted in the other end of the aperture 41 of the upwardly extending portion 44 of the partition 30, whereby the shift plunger 2! is adjustably held by the spring 49 to the right on the inclined surface of the elevator plunger 30.

The reproducer transmitter I comprises a casing 5! which is securely fixed at itslower central portion to the pivot bar I! at I! and is provided with a horizontally extending tube 53 containing a freely movable ball 54 which is adaptedto unbalance the reproducer transmitter in a forward or rearward direction. An ordinary telephone receiver 55, as shown in Figa'l, 2 and 3,,which illustrates the use of the apparatus is connected to telephone line wires 5' and 51 which are in turn connected with the reproducer transmitter and form a part of the circuit to which subscriber telephones are attached. Inthe use of the apparatus in connection with telephone exchanges of course this telephone circuit passes through the exchange or central station. Formed on the rear of the reproducer transmitter is a horizontally extending arcuate-shaped groove 58, as illustrated in Fig. 3, having threads 50 provided thereon which are adapted to engage screw threads ill of a threaded portion ll provided on a return shaft 62 which is adapted at one end 3 to slide in a forward or rearward direction within a slot 64 formed in the rear portion of the end late I3 at a particular point in the operation of the apparatus. A disk 85 is secured to the outer end of the end 63 of the return shaft 62 which bears against the outer surface of the endplate' is and prevents the return shaft from moving to the left of the device. The threaded portion SI of the return shaft l2 terminates in an enlarged incline threaded end I.

The reproducer transmitter is returned to its initial starting position by the same apparatus disclosed in my above mentioned patent which includes a pinion '1 provided on the inner end of the return shaft 2 and adapted to mesh with a crown wheel or ring rack gear II mounted on the forward side of a wheel ll having a felt or rubber tire ill on its outer surface. The crown wheel or ring rack gear II and the wheel ll contherreturn shaft 82 through the pinion l! in the direction as indicated by the arrows.

In order to unbalance the return shaft 42 and its connecting mechanism counterweights II and 14 are provided. The counterweight I3 is secured to the free end of an elongated body portion II which is pivotally connected at its rear end to the pivot bar I at" and return shaft 42 at I! by rollers 18 of the type illustrated in Fig. 8, while the counterweight I4 is mounted on the outer-end of. an elongated body portion I. on the housing ll of the friction device, indicated generally by B, and which is in turn pivotally mounted on the pivot bar It by a roller bearing 0. also of the type illustrated in Fig. 8.

The friction device .8 which includes the gear 68, wheel 69 and rubber or felt tire II is pivotally mounted on the housing II by a shaft 0| which is arranged at right angles to the return shaft 62. In order to facilitate adjustment of the bearing frame it, swivel adjustment screws I! may be provided which surface of the casing I and with the side edge of the bearing plates l2 and ii of the bearing frame.

The electromagnetic mechanism A. may be operated for actuating the pivot bar I. by means of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 6 wherein instead of the contacts in being placed at each of the minute intersections of the timepiece 2|, apertures 83 are formed in the timepiece 24' at each of the minute intersections of the timepiece and a reflectoror lens 84 is suitably secured to the outer end of the minute hand 27' of the timepiece and arranged thereon in such a manner that certain rays 85 from a light source 4' will be reflected or refracted through an aperture 88 of the timepiece, when the minute hand 21' is at that particular minute intersection of the timepiece. The other rays from the light source I! are prevented from passing through the apertures '3 by the face of the timepiece. The rays which are reflected or refracted by the reflector or lens 84 on the minute hand 21? are caused to be projected onto a cathode ll of a photoelectric cell ll including the anode I. The cathode II of the photoelectric cell ll is connected by means of a conductor 9|! toone end of the solenoid ll of a magnetic switch 02 including an armature I8 and contact 84. The other end of the solenoid I of the magnetic switch 91 is connected to the negative side of a battery 95 by conductor 44, the said battery being connected at its positive side to the anode 8! of the photoelectrio cell II by a conductor 91. One end of the armature ll of the magnetic switch 92 may be connected to the conductor 26 which in the first device is connected to the minute hand 21, and the contact 44 may be connected to the conductor 3| which in the first mentioned device is connected to the. conductors ll. If desired the reflector or lens .4 andthe light source 06 shown in Fig. 6 may be eliminated and a small light source '0 may be substituted on the minute hand 21', in place of the reflector or lens .4 in which case the small light source OI onto the photoelectric cell 08.

contact with the upper the right of the device at.th'eir initial starting position with the metal ball 54 in the forward end of the tube 53, the reproducer transmitter is then caused to tilt in a forward direction causing the pivot bar I6 to rotate in the end plates I2 and I3 ofthe supporting frame II) with the needle 9 of the reproducer transmitter engaging in the deep starting groove which guides the needle to the first concentric groove a of the record when the hands of the timepiece are at twelve o'clock, whereby the reproduced transmitted is caused to announce over the telephone line wires 55 and 51 to the substation at the telephone receiver 55 the words twelve oclock.

Upon the minute hand 21 of the timepiece which moves to the right, as indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and 2 striking the contact 29 at twelve-one of the timepiece, a current is caused to flow from one side of the battery'25 through the minute hand 21 of the timepiece, the contact -'29 at twelve-one, the conductor 3|] connected thereto, the common return conductor 3|, the wire coil 23 which now forms a solenoid, back to the other side of the battery 25 through the conductor 24. The outer end of the minute hand 21 action releases the pivot bar which due to the weight of the metal ball 54 on the outer end of the reproducer transmitter 8, causes the reproducer transmitter to be moved downwardly at its front end with its needle 9 engaging in the groove b, whereby-the words twelve-one are an-- nounced over the telephone line wires 58 and 51.

In this. manner the pivot bar I6 and hence the tance that the shift plunger 2| is raised for rotating the pivot bar I6 and hence the amount of elevation of the needle 9 of the reproducer transmitter 8 from the record 3 may be adjusted bymeans of screws 42 which are adapted to engage with the adjusting plate 4| for either loweris so formed as to make contact with the contacts 29 at the minute intersections of the timepiece for a few seconds, whereby when the minute hand is at the contact at twelve-one a current is set up long enough for the record to make one revolution, so the connecting groove 'a' will catch the needle and assist in carrying it to the next groove b., The current set up through the solenoid 23 by the minute hand 21 striking the contact 29 at twelve-one of the timepiece makes an electromagnet out of the soft iron core 32 of the the electromagnetic mechanism A which causes the elevator plunger 38 to be drawn to the left. At the beginning of this movement of the elevator plunger 38, the shift plunger 2| is raised vertically due to the inclined surface on the up per portion of the elevator plunger, whereby the teeth 20 on the upper surface of the shift plunger 2| are caused to engage in the teeth I9 formed on the lower surface of the lip I8 of the pivot bar I8, thereby pushing up on the lip I8 which causes the pivot bar I6 to rotate on the end plates I2 and I3 of the supporting frame III in a rearward direction which causes the reproducer transmitter 8 secured thereto, to rotate in the same direction to slightly lift its needle 9 from the record. Then the extension 48 on the elevator plunger engages the outer side of the shift plunger 2| to move the shift'plunger 2| to the left which in turn horizontally moves the pivot bar I6 and reproducer transmitter 8 to the left a distance exactly equal to the distance between the grooves a and b. The horizontal movement to the left of the pivot bar I6 and reproducer transmitter is stopped when the outer end of the projection .46 of the shift plunger 2| comes in contact with the adjusting screw 50,

As the minute hand 21 slides off of the contactiat twelve-one o'clock of the timepiece,'the electric circuit is broken through the solenoid 23, whereby. the iron core 32 is demagnetized which releases the elevator plunger 38 and permits the spring 40 to force it to the right, thereby allowing the shift plunger to be moved downwardly out of engagement with'the lip I8 on the pivot bar II and to be forced to its original position to ing or raising the elevator and shift plunger 38 and 2| respectively. When the hands of the timepiece 28 have reached the time of elevenfifty-nine or one minute of twelve the needle 9 of the reproducer transmitter 8 will be in the last groove 2 of the record 3. As the minute hand 21 of the timepiece turns to twelve o'clock the needle 9 of the reproducer transmitter is given a lurch to the left to the beginning of the spiral groove 8 which continues to carry the needle toward the center and raises it up the inclined portion 1 of the record 3.

Obviously in the operation of the system it is necessary to return the reproducer transmitter 8 to its starting position afterbeing extended over a twelve hour period. The return mechanism is such that the reproducer transmitter is returned -which is constructed and operates in the same manner as the return mechanism in my Patent No. 2,144,625, the return movement is begun when the needle '9 of the reproducer transmitter 8 nears the top of the inclined portion 1 at the center of the record 3. This upward movement of the needle 9 raises the forward end of the reproducer transmitter and causes the tube 53 the right under the action of its spring 49, thisthereof to be in an inclined or slanting position from the horizontal which causes the freely movable'metal ball to roll through the tube to the rear of the reproducer transmitter, which unbalances the reproducer transmitter and moves it together with the pivot bar IS in a rearward direction, whereby the rear follower threads 59 of thearcuate groove 58 at the rear of the reproducer transmitter are caused to threadably engage the screw threads SI of the return shaft 62. The-weight of the ball 54 also begins to unbalance the return mechanism including the friction device B, thereby lowering the ring rack gear 68 and wheel 89 downwardly until the felt or rubber tire Ill frictionally contacts with the rotating record 3. As the tire 10 comes into contact with the upper surface of the record 3, the wheel 69 and the gear 68 are rotated in the opposite direction from'the record or in a. counterclockwise direction which in turn rotates the pinion 81 in mesh with the gear 68 in a clock-, wise direction and hence the return shaft 62 in the same direction, "whereby the reproducer transmitter is screwed to the right on the return shaft 62 to the inclined portion 88 thereof which is enlarged in diameter so that as the reproducer transmitter 8 reaches its starting position the threads provided on the enlarged portion .86

raises the rear of the reproducer transmitter upnouncements, as of weather reports, from the record at any point desired, thee enlarged inclined portion on the end l of the return shaft 82 may be made ring-shaped and threadably mounted on the return shaft and the conical shaped raised portion I containing the spiral groove 6 in the center of the record may be made separate from the record and caused to engage the record in any suitable manner. Conical shaped pieces of diflerent diameters containing spiral grooves may be used to raise the needle at any point desired on the record for returnin the reproducer transmitter to its starting position.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a new and useful form of electromechanical phonographic time announcer which is well adapted for all the purposes intended. Even though there has been described and claimed certain features of construction and operation of parts, it is nevertheless to be understood that various changes may be made therein if the changes do not depart from the spirit or scope of the'claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a phonograph announcer having a move able record bearing. a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter including a needle supported to move across the record toward the center thereof, said needle adapted to travel in one of each of said grooves, means including an electromagnetic mechanism for actuating said reproducer transmitter to remove said needle from the record after havin traveled in one of said grooves and to move said reproducer transmitter across the record a distance between said grooves, means for actuating said reproducer transmitter to place said needle in engagement with a groove adjacent to the traveled groove and means for returning said reproducer transmitter to its starting position after said needle has completed its travel in said grooves.

2. In a phonograph announcer having a movable record bearlng a plurality of recorded an-'- nouncement grooves, a reproducer transmitter movably supported above the record and including a needle adapted to travel in said grooves, means including an-electromagnetic mechanism for actuating said reproducer transmitter to remove said needle from the record after havin traveled in one of said grooves and to move said -reproducer transmitter across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter including said needle is moved from one groove to another, lifting means to raise the needle and reproducer transmitter after the needle has completed its travel in saidgrooves, and means for returning the reproducer transmitter to its starting position after the said reproducer transmitter is raised.

wardly until the rear of the tube is is higher than its front end, thus causing the ball." to.

3. In a phonograph announcer having a movable record bearing a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter including a needle adapted to travel in one of each of said grooves, a movably mounted pivot bar fixedly secured to said reproducer transmitter, means including an electromagnetic mechanism for periodically operating said pivot bar at timed intervals to move said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter secured thereto across the record a'distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove to another in succession across the record toward the center thereof, and means for retu; ning the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after said needle has traveled in all of said grooves.

4. In a phonograph announcer having a movable record bearing a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter supported above the record and including a needle adapted to travel in each of said grooves, a pivot bar having a projecting portion thereon, said pivot bar fixedly secured to said reproducer transmitter and adapted to be moved across the 7 record, an electromagnetic mechanism including a member adapted to periodically engage said projecting portion of the pivot bar and to move said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter secured thereto across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove to another in succession across the record toward the center thereof, means for operating said electromagnetic mechanism, said means including a source of electrical potential connected with said electromagnetic mechanism, a ,timepiece connected to said source of electrical potential and said electromagnetic mechanism, said time'- piece adapted to periodically operate said electromagnetic mechanism at timed intervals for operating said pivot bar and means for returnin the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after the needle of said reproducer transmitter has traveled in all of said grooves.

5. In a phonograph announcer having a movablerecord bearing a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter supported above the record and including a needle adapted to travel in one of each of said "grooves, a pivot bar having a threaded portion thereon, said pivot bar fixedly secured to said reproducer transmitter and adapted to be moved across the record, an electromagnetic mechanism including a member adapted to periodically en gage said threaded portion of the pivot bar and to move said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter secured thereto across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove to another in succession across the record toward the center thereof, a source of electrical potential connected with said electromagnetic mechanism,

a timepiece having minute intersections and ineluding an electrical contact at each of said minute intersections connected to said electromagnetic mechanism, and a minute hand adapted to periodically engage each of said electrical contacts, said minute hand connected to said source of electrical potential and adapted to engage each of said electrical contacts for periodically actuating said electromagnetic mechanism at timed intervals, and means forreturning the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after said needle has traveled in all of said grooves. I

6. In a phonograph announcer having a movablerecord bearing a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter supported above the record and including a needle adapted to travelin one ofeach of said grooves, a pivot bar having a threaded portion said pivot barand reproducer transmitter secured thereto across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby. said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove to another in succession across the record toward the center thereof, .a source ofelectrical poten- I tial connected with said electromagnet, a timepiece connected to said source of potential and -electromagnet and adapted to periodically operate said electromagnet to operate said members and means for returning the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after said needle has traveled in all of said grooves.

7. In a phonograph announcer having a movable record bearing a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter supported above the record and including a needle adapted to travel in one of each of said grooves; a pivot bar having a threaded portion, said pivot bar fixedly secured to said reproducer transmitter and adapted to be moved across the record, an electromagnetic mechanism including an electromagnehan elevator plunger adapted to be actuated by said electromagne't, a threaded shift plunger adapted to be actuated by said elevator plunger into engagement with the threaded portion of said pivot bar and to move said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter secured thereto across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove toanother in succession across the record toward the center thereof,

means for periodically operating said electromagnetic mechanism-said means including a source of electrical potential connected in circuit with said electromagnet, a timepiece including minute intersections, an electrical contact at each of the minute intersections of the timepiece, each of said electrical contacts connected with said electromagnet, a minute hand connected with said source of potential and adapted to engage one of each of said electrical contacts for periodically making and breaking the circuit fromsaid source ofpotential to said electromagnet, and means for returning the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after said needlehas traveled in all of said'grooves.

'8. In a phonograph announcer having a-movable record bearing a plurality of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter supported above the record and including a needle adapted to travel in each of said grooves, a. pivot bar fixedly secured to said reproducer transmitter and adapted to be moved across the record, means for periodically operating said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter across the record, said means comprising an electromagnetic mechanism including an electromagnet anda member adapt ed to be actuated periodically by said electromagnet into engagement with said pivot bar and periodically move said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove to another in succession across the record toward the center thereof, a source of electrical potential, a normally inoperative magnetic switch connected' to said source of electrical potential and electromagnet, an additional source of electrical potential and a normally inoperative photoelectric cell connected to said additional source of electrical potential and said magnetic switch, a

timepiece including minute intersections, an

aperture formed at each 01 the minute intersections, a minute hand on said timepiece adapt ed to move past each of said apertures, a refiector mounted on' said minute hand and arranged to reflect rays through one of each 0! said apertures in succession onto said photoelectric cell for actuating said photoelectric cell, a light source adapted to project certain of its rays onto said reflector, whereby said rays are periodically projected through one of each of said apertures in succession at minute intervals onto said photoelectric cell, whereby said magnetic switch is'periodically operated to operate said electromagnet for actuating said member into engagement with said pivotbar at minute intervals, and means for returning the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after said needle has traveled in all of said grooves.

9. In a phonograph announcer having a movable record bearing a plurality ,of recorded announcement grooves, a reproducer transmitter supported above the record, andincluding a needle adapted to travel in one of each of said grooves, a pivot bar fixedly secured to said re- 1 producer transmitter and adapted to be moved across the record, means for periodically operating said pivot bar and'reproducer transmitter secured thereto across the record, said means comprising an electromagnetic mechanism in-.

cluding an electromagnet, a member adapted to be periodically actuated into engagement with said pivot bar and to 'move said pivot bar and reproducer transmitter across the record a distance between said grooves, whereby said reproducer transmitter and needle is moved from one groove to another in succession across the record toward the center thereof, a source of electrical potential, a normally inoperative magnetic switch l connected to said source of electrical potential and electromagnet, an additional source of electrical potential, a normally inoperative photoelectric cell connected to said additional source of electrical potential and said switch, a timepiece including minute intersections and having an aperture formed at each of said minute intersections, a minute hand on said timepiece adaptved to move past each of said apertures, alight source arranged on said minute hand and adapted to reflect rays through one of each of said apertures in succession onto said photoelectric cell, whereby said magnetic switch is periodically operated to energize said electromagnet for op erating said electromagnetic mechanism and periodically actuatingsaid member into engagement with said pivot bar and means for returning the pivot bar and reproducer transmitter to their starting position after said needle has traveled in all of said grooves.

pain: A., HERMAN. 

